Madison Keys is struggling to get back to winning ways ever since she finally became a slam champion back in January. Defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, the American fulfilled a longtime dream. But since then, her on-court performance has been hit-and-miss. Especially in Miami and Charleston, where she was ousted in the early rounds. The World No.5 would like to get back on the winning momentum with a deep run in Madrid this week. However, she will have to go through a tough obstacle on Tuesday in order to make it happen. She’s set to face Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the R16. So who’s going to have the last laugh? Let’s try to find out.

Madison Keys v Donna Vekic: Preview

Back in January, Madison Keys stunned the tennis world with her phenomenal run down under. In the summit clash at the Rod Laver Arena, she beat Sabalenka in straight sets to clinch her first major trophy. After taking a month-long break due to a leg injury, she returned to the court at the Indian Wells last month. The American showed promising signs, reaching the semis at the BNP Paribas Open. Eventually, it was Sabalenka who ousted her, while avenging the AO final loss, with a brutal score line of 6-0, 6-1.

The thrashing from the Belarusian did affect Keys’ form in subsequent events. In Miami, she was ousted in R32 after losing to 19-year-old sensation, Alexandra Eala. Next up, she failed to impress in Charleston, too, and crashed out in R16 as Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya edged her out with a score line of 6-2, 6-4.

Coming to Madrid, Keys started her campaign in style with a straight-set win over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. She then avenged her loss against Kalinskaya and eliminated her, in R32, with a score line of 7-5, 7-6(3).

Speaking of her opponent, Donna Vekic’s 2025 season has been mediocre at best. Back in January, she started the year on a poor note, crashing out of R32 at the Adelaide International. She did impress at the Australian Open by reaching the fourth round. However, Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ended her run with a score line of 7-6, 6-0. Since then, Vekic’s on-court performance has been unimpressive.

In six back-to-back events, she faced early round exits. At the Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Merida Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, and Stuttgart Open, the Croatian was ousted in R64, R64, R16, R16, R64, and R32, respectively. In Madrid, Vekic started her journey on a winning note after edging out American Hailey Baptiste in straight sets. She then beat another American, Emma Navarro, in R32 to make it to the R16 stage.

Keys v Vekic: Head-to-Head

Both players have met four times across WTA events in their careers. Currently, Keys leads the h2h tally with a 3-1 lead. When they faced each other the last time, it was in this season itself. At the Indian Wells, the American emerged victorious.

• 2025 Indian Wells Masters R16: Keys 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
• 2019 Toronto R64: Vekic: 3-6, 7-6, 7-6
• 2018 Italian Open R32: Keys 7-6, 7-6
• 2016 French Open R128: Keys 6-3, 6-2

Prediction: Madison Keys to win in straight sets

Madison Keys has an edge over Donna Vekic in terms of their win-loss record. This season, the American WTA star has won 22 of her 26 matches. It translates to an impressive win percentage of 84.61. On the other hand, the Croatian player has struggled a lot (7-8).

Speaking of event history, Keys’ last three appearances in Madrid (2021, 2022, and 2024) have been like a rollercoaster ride. She crashed out in R64 successively before reaching the semis last year. It was her best campaign in Madrid. In the last four, she lost against eventual winner Iga Swiatek.

But what about Vekic? Her best campaign on the clay surface of Madrid came six years ago. In 2019, she reached the R16 before withdrawing from the match against compatriot Petra Martić due to an injury. In her last two appearances (2023 and 2024), she failed to leave an impact and crashed out in R64 successively.

Coming to their playing styles, Keys prefers to be aggressive while using her powerful strokes. Not to forget her ability to dominate opponents from the baseline. Her first serves help her earn crucial points as well.

Talking about Vekic, she’s a hard hitter of the ball as well. Combine that with her big first serve and a solid forehand. Her footwork is amazing, too, which means she can easily cover the court between the baseline and the net for a steady performance.

Given her dominating h2h record and overall form this season, the World No.5 appears to be the favorite going into Tuesday’s clash. Madison Keys is expected to clinch victory in straight sets against Vekic.